Self-baking electrode

Abstract

An apparatus for a self-baking electrode includes an electrode having at least three zones, a first zone containing uncarbonized carbon-containing composition, a second zone which adjoins the first zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in a paste-like or liquid form, a third zone which adjoins the second zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in carbonized form, and a cylindrical housing which encloses at least the first and second zones. A tube can be lifted and lowered in a vertical direction at least partly within the zones and an extendable holding element for taking up tensile forces runs partly within the tube and partly outside the tube where a first end of the holding element (101) can be detachably connected to a fastening element, a second end of the holding element enters the third zone and is anchored there.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for a self-baking electrode, the electrode comprising at least three zones, a first zone containing uncarbonized carbon-containing composition, a second zone which adjoins the first zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in a paste-like to liquid form, and a third zone which adjoins the second zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in carbonized form, and a cylindrical housing which encloses at least the first and second zones, the apparatus comprising:
 a tube which can be lifted and lowered in a vertical direction, runs partly within the cylindrical housing, and passes through the first two zones and ends above the third zone, and 
 an extendable holding element for taking up tensile forces which runs partly within the tube and partly outside the tube, where a first end of the holding element is able to be detachably connected to a fastening element and a second end of the holding element enters the third zone of the electrode and is anchored there. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the extendable holding element is an extendable rigid element or an extendable flexible element. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the extendable rigid element is a rod which consists at least partially of a heat-resistant material which is stable up to a temperature of at least 1000° C. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the extendable flexible element is a rope which consists at least partially of a heat-resistant material which is stable up to a temperature of at least 1000° C. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the rope comprises a plurality of loops and forms contact regions between two successive loops. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the individual loops of the plurality of loops are made at least partially of carbon fibers. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the contact regions are provided with a sheath. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the individual loops of the plurality of loops are provided with additional holding points. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the additional holding points are created in the loops by plaiting-in or pushing-through of short carbon fiber parts which are provided with knots at the ends. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the rod comprises a plurality of individual rod elements which are operationally connected to one another. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least the first end of the holding element is configured as a loop or as a rod element, where the loop or the rod element is able to be detachably connected to the fastening element. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the holding element can be continuously extended from its first end by connecting a plurality of individual loops or a plurality of individual rod elements. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the holding element comprises a plurality of loops connected to one another and having a first loop, a second loop which goes through the first loop, a contact region formed between the first loop and the second loop and the second loop has a first loop part ( 13 B′) and a second loop part and a third loop goes through the two loop parts of the second loop. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tube is unperforated and the tube is perforated. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tube is arranged concentrically to the cylindrical housing of the electrode. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tube is made of metal. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tube is made of a nonferrous metal or alloy. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an end element which presses against the third zone when the tube is lowered is provided at an end of the tube which ends above the third zone. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a carrier element provided on a part of the tube that runs within the cylindrical housing, the carrier element having a pressing surface which presses against the first zone of the electrode when the tube is lowered. 
     
     
       20. A process for operating an apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising:
 a first step comprising moving the carbon-containing composition of the three zones relative to the cylindrical housing by vertical lowering movement of the tube, 
 periodic repetition of the first step until the tube has reached the end of the second zone or enters the third zone, subsequently, 
 decreasing the load on the holding element by reducing the tensile forces acting on the holding element, 
 extending the holding element and securing the extended holding element by means of a fastening element, 
 applying a tensile force to the extended holding element, 
 lifting the tube until it is again located within the first zone, and 
 recommencement with the first step. 
 
     
     
       21. The process as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the extension of the holding element is effected by extending the end of the holding element which can be connected to the fastening element by connecting with at least one further loop or with at least one further rod element. 
     
     
       22. An electrode comprising:
 at least three zones, a first zone containing uncarbonized carbon-containing composition, a second zone which adjoins the first zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in a paste-like to liquid form, and a third zone which adjoins the second zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in carbonized form; 
 a cylindrical housing which encloses at least the first and second zones; and 
 an apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 .